Some warm weather has arrived in London at last and it always feels warmer here than it is when the sun does finally come out. Where was the sun last week when we were touring the M25? More on that another time... So it's great to get the BBQ out for some al fresco dining and to get out the summer clothes and summer legs. London is a great City when the sun's shining and with changing weather patterns, this year it's been a long time in coming.
We hear the Masai Mara and Botswana are seriously wet currently, more so than usual. After bad drought some of the camps in the Mara have now experienced local washouts, and apparently the Delta in Botswana is phenomenally wet meaning the wildlife is concentrating in even smaller areas of dry land which is great news for the predators and anyone fortunate enough to be on safari this year. The vehicles in the Delta have snorkels so we have had some very exciting chases through water trying to get around in front of Lions hunting Buffalo, where the vehicle has been so submerged that water was up to our calves inside the vehicle. Our favourite guide in Botswana is good at pushing the boundaries for us but he is experienced enough to know when it really is too deep for a vehicle to get across. So he knows when to say No. Well most of the time anyway:) So we will have some of the benefits of a wet Delta at the end of the year when we are there.
Come to think of it, as much as water can be challenging on safari, on balance it typically adds to the adventure and with hindsight adds to the vividness of the chase/getting to the action. In the Congo or Central African Republic, getting in to see the Lowland Gorillas can mean trekking through thigh level water but with porters who are more accustomed to the conditions, they can make light of getting the camera gear in safely, and without the excitement of getting through the jungle streams, it just wouldn't be so much fun. But keeping camera gear dry is serious and if you ever need any help on what to use, we can tell you what works for us at least. 
We need to get the wet weather gear out for the cameras for our Canada trip in September as well. Our bear and whale watching live-aboard expedition up the north-west coast will be visiting some of the most scenic bits of Canada, and some of the wettest. Probably explains why it's so green! As Adam is always saying, 'there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad preparation'. So whereas ponchos are typically provided in safari vehicles, we will be needing full on waterproof jackets, pullover trousers and wellies for the wet landings for ourselves - thankfully it won't be as cold as Antarctica and we will all fit in one zodiac so there won't be lots of hanging around as is the way on large boats. For the camera gear, it will be a combination of large and small drybags - you can apparently have your gear floating in these in water and they'd be OK - not sure I will ever put this to the test though! And then the waterproof covering for the camera and lenses as well and I quite like the light showerproof covers as well so that even if it's not raining, just being in humid conditions it feels as if there's a bit of protection without the need for the more cumbersome full Monty covers. Spare plastic bags for putting things in, waterproof backpack etc etc.
So a bit of thoughtful pre-trip checking, shopping and packing is needed to avoid disastrous damage to gear. The closest we have ever come to this is Gorilla tracking in Uganda a number of years ago. It was a very wet year and one couple we met along the way had lost pretty much all of their camera and video gear to rain. It was our first trip there and we hadn't been warned about the possibility of torrential rain coming from nowhere so we nearly lost a camera as well. Thankfully it eventually dried although Adam spent the rest of the trip with the camera hanging out the window as we travelled, trying to dry it out, and looking through the viewfinder was impossible for a week or so, so he was shooting blind - and yes, you could see a difference in the shots!
Not sure what's going to keep us happy until September although there are those Elephants that have sprung up in London....
Hot Hot Hot - 22 May 2010
Sicily - 9 May 2010
Dear all
Sometimes the best things are not as far as 10,000 miles from Heathrow. For Easter this year we travelled to Sicily to see what it could offer for a short break. Something we had talked about for quite a few years. Wildlife was somewhat limited, although Adam did get up pretty close and personal with a fox. Very, very tame at the side of the road!
What was the overall impression that we had of Sicily? First the people really are very friendly. Whether it was the hotel staff, the men in the fish market, the taxi or coach drivers or the people running the many restaurants we visited. Secondly, Sicily does not suffer from the over development you see in the South of France. It remains very charming and somewhat low key. Thirdly, the wine, food and gelato are to die for! We both enjoyed all three ... in different quantities!
Volcanos are making the news at the moment and many of our friends have been caught out. Within an hour of Catania it is possible to trek to the top of Europe's most active volcano; Mount Etna. Some of the paths are not that obvious and we had to lead a group along the highest ridge to get the best photographs.
Finally, is Etna worth seeing; absolutely yes. An amazing natural wonder which is just an hour from the finest restaurants in Sicily.
Julie and Adam